Index card holder



Jan. 28, 1941. Q BERGMANN 2,229,881

INDEX CARD HOLDER Filed May 17, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fl GL1; :M/Z-gmfimm I WI INVENTOR: Conrad Bergmann A77URNEYS 1941- c. BERGMANN INDEX CARD HOLDER Filed May 17, 1940 r 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG; 5

' INVENTOR; Conrad, Berymann,

ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 28, 1941. c. BERGMANN 2,229,881

INDEX CARD HOLDER Filed May 17, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 1

WITNESSES; INVENTOR;

x I By COHFM Bergmann, g. M

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFTQE INDEX CARD HOLDER Application May 17, 1940, Serial No. 335,678

Claims.

This invention has general reference to filing cabinets and, more particularly to the type including a drawer or receptacle in which index cards are arranged on edge and subjected to pressure for normal storage, such pressure being readily released for facilitating access thereto for reference and tabulating purposes.

Various means have heretofore been proposed for exerting compressive force against index cards when arranged in a drawer or receptacle after the follower structure has been moved into engagement against said cards; and it is a funda mental object of this invention to provide an improved means of the specified type adapted to impose extra pressure on the cards with inci dental greater holding efficiency, reference facility, increased speed in operation, and co-related service economy; as well as permitting the drawer or receptacle to be carried or inverted -without fear of the cards falling .out until the follower-compressor has been released.

Another object is to provide a follower-compressor device of the indicated character which by a slight movement of an actuator component moves the follower forward to a definite extent and thereby exerts a correlated increased pressure against the index cards in comparison with analogous known means.

, A further object is to furnish a follower-compressor device of the typified species which is actuated with greater facility than heretofore possible, While the operative parts are enclosed in a manner conducive to accident protection and interference.

Other objects and ancillary advantages of this invention will appear as the nature thereof is better understood, said invention fundamentally consisting of a follower device including a laterally-shiftable locking-element, with a cooperative camming-actuator adapted, when the locking-element is moved to active position, to bodily shift the follower forward a definite distance, This invention further comprises novel structural features, the combination and correlation of parts herein fully described, typically illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and then finally pointed out and more particularly defined in the concluding claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a broken fragmentary plan view of a card filing drawer or receptacle with the holder or follower-compressor device of this invention included therein.

Fig. 2 is a part sectional elevation on the plane II--II of Fig. 1, with portions of a closure component broken out to better clarify the otherwise concealed mechanism in locked position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the plane III-III of Fig. 4, with the follower locking means in active position.

Fig. 4 is .a plan section, taken substantially as indicated by the plane designation arrows IV--IV in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation, taken approximately as designated by the staggered planeindicating arrows VV in Fig. 1, and showing the follower locking means in the active posi tion.

Fig. 6 is a similar plan section to Fig. i with the several parts disengaged or with the follower locking means released.

Fig. '7 is a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 5 with the parts therein included in released, or inactive position to accommodate sliding of the follower-compressor along its guiding tracks.

Fig. 8 is a part sectional elevation similar to Fig. 2, with the parts in different position or in the inactive location.

Fig.9 is a perspective view of the followercompressor device of this invention detached from the drawer or receptacle; and,

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a cammingactuator hereinafter described in detail.

In the following explanation of the typical embodiment of this invention shown by the accompanying three sheets of drawings, specific terms will be employed for the sake of clarity, but it is to be understood that such terms are used in 3 a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Each specific term is intended to include all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish an analogous purpose.

Briefly this invention consists in the provision of a receptacle or drawer I, for index cards or the like 2, with a slidable follower comprehensively designated as 3 and including a lock-bar l, with .a coactive camming actuator 55, and latching means 6 for holding said lock-bar and actuator together for joint elevation to accommodate movement of the follower 3 into and away from compressive abutment with the cards 2.

The receptacle or drawer l is preferably of the sheet metal type having inwardly-open channelsection longitudinal rails T, with the lower flange portions 8 suitably formed to define forwardlyactive teeth 9; and said drawer conveniently has the upper side edges headed over at W, while the frontal wall H is fitted with a drop-in bail l2 for carrying purposes.

Referring now to the follower 3, the same consists of a plate structure including upper and lower angle-section flanges l3, 14, respectively; and side walls (5 having apertures I 6 with inward upper cut-outs or notches H, in addition to relatively spaced channel-contoured openings I8, the web portions whereof .align with the follower wall [9 intermediate the flanges l3, M, as clearly understandable from Figs. 5 and 9, more particularly.

Opposed channel-section members, preferably of right-angled contour, have one portion 20 engaged through the openings 18 and securely attached to the follower wall 19, with the other portion 2| projecting forwardly relative to said wall to define spaced guide arms 22, for slidable reception in the receptacle longitudinal rails 7. The upper flanges 23 of the guide arms 22 are provided with outwardly-expanded undulations 24, functional to reduce frictional engagement between said guide arms and the confronting walls of the rails 1 during sliding movement of the follower 3, as later on again referred to.

The lock bar 4 is formed with notches 25 proximate its ends to clear the lower edges of the apertures H5 in the follower side walls l5, while the portions of said bar, outward of the notches 25, are suitably shaped as rearwardly active teeth 26, see Figs. 5, 7 and 9 to best advantage, for engagement with the rail teeth 9, in the intervening openings 21 produced by stamping such teeth out of the rail flange portion 8.

Pivotally mounted by aligned pintle portions 28, 29, engaged in journal holes of appropriate upper and lower bearing brackets 35, 32, attached to or formed integral with the follower wall I9, is the camming actuator 5. This actuator 5, as best understood from Fig. 10, is preferably in the nature of an angle-section, one flange whereof, in addition to embodying the pintle portions 28, 29, aforesaid, also includes a recess 33, setting apart a crank or eccentric camming rectangular section 34; whereas the other flange 35 embodies a lever or key projection 36, a recess 31 for reception of the lock bar 4, while a keeper-tongue 38 at the front of the lock-bar 4 coacts with the section 34 of the recess 33, and a lower portion 39 having a stop projection 40. It is to be here noted the portion 39, of the actuator 5, normally seats on the lower bearing bracket 32, while a suitable spring 4| at one end is welded at 42 to the underside of the follower upper flange 13, the free end whereof engages the top of the pintle 28, for influencing the actuator 5 downwards into abutment with the bracket 32.

Engageable with the actuator stop projection 46, when the actuator 5 is in the inactive position, best seen in Figs. 6 and 8, is the latching means 6 preferably in the form of an angle device 43, one part of which is rigidly attached to the follower wall [9 and the other part whereof embodies a springy V-shaped section 44 for recoil coaction with the rounded end 45 of the stop projection 45', in a manner quite obvious, on an inspection of Fig. 6 more particularly.

In order to enclose and protect the movable parts of the follower 3, use is made of a sheetmetal closure embodying reversely-channeled upper and lower portions .6, 41, respectively. The portion 46 has its upper flange 48 of suitable width for engagement in the groove defined by the follower wall angle flange l3, with suitable cut-outs 49, 5G to respectively clear the spring 4! and permit pivotal movement of the actuator 5, said latter cut-out 50 also extending through the common flange 5| connecting with the portion 41. On the other hand, the lower flange 52 of the closure portion 41 is outwardly stepped or lipped at 53 for snap engagement over the free edge of the follower lower angle flange l4 into the groove intervening said flange and the back wall l9, as best seen in Fig. 3; and such stepped lip 53 is also cut out at 54, Fig. 4, to clear the lower bracket 32 and associated pintle 29; while it is further observable that when the actuator 5 is moved to the active position, a lug portion 55 of the actuator flange 35 abuts the adjacent edge of the closure cut out 56, as indicated at 56 in Fig. 2, to arrest further inward movement of said actuator towards the closure portion 46. In other words the lug portion 55 serves by abutment at 56 to limit rotary movement of the actuator 5 in one direction and the latch means 6 in the other direction.

Having described the structural features of this invention, the use thereof may be briefly stated as follows, and assuming that a supply of index cards 2 rest against the front wall ll of the drawer I. Now it will be readily understood that, when the actuator 5 is in the released position of Figs. 6-8, on raising said actuator by the key projection 36, in opposition to the spring 4i, the lock-bar 4 will be lifted into the notches I! with the teeth 26 out of engagement with the rail teeth 9, as shown in Fig. 7, whereupon the follower 3 can then be drawn forward, by sliding coaction of the arm undulations 24 with the confronting wall of the rails 1, until the follower wall [9 impacts the adjoining card 2, to compact such cards against the drawer front wall II, it being apparent that during the operation just described, the bar teeth 26 easily rack or slide over the rail teeth 9 without any arrestive action. Immediately the key projection 36 is released, the spring 41 presses the actuator axially downwards, which movement forces the teeth 26 of the lock-bar 4 into arrestive engagement be-v tween the confronting opening 2'! intervening and adjoining rail teeth 9, with incidental elevation of the guide arms 22, until the arm undulations 24 are jammed into frictional contact with the upper wall portions of the rails 7. During movement of the guide arms 22 and follower 3, the lock-bar 4 enters the side wall notches IT, with incidental slight upward lifting of the follower 3 under recoil action of the outer part of the spring 4!. As a result, the actuator 5 is normally restrained from turning, as any such tendency is positively prevented by engagement of one fiat face of the rectangular section 34 with the keeper tongue 38, as best shown in Fig. 6, while the stop projection end 45 is in arrestive abutment against the inner side of the latch V- shaped end 44. Now, in order to lock the bar teeth 26 in the rail teeth intervening openings 21, the key projection 36 is drawn inward relative to the follower closure 46, 47, whereby the actuator 5 is pivoted about its axis from the position of Figs. 6, '7 and 8, to that of Figs. 1 to 4 and 9; or, said actuator is rotated through an angle of approximately ninety-degrees by pivotal coaction between the pintles 28, 29 and associated journals 3!! therefor. Incidental to the rotation of the actuator 5 just set forth, with the teeth 26 of the lock-bar jammed between adjoining teeth 9 of the rails 1, the follower 3 will be bodily forced forward approximately a further three-sixteenths of an inch with resultant exertion of an augmented clamping-compression of the cards 2 against the drawer front wall ll, due to the joint camming action between the bar 4 and rectangular eccentric section 34 of the actuator 5. In practice, it has been found this card clamping operation imposes an additional twenty-five pounds pressure against the cards 2, after the follower 3 has been just moved into firm abutment with said cards, whereby such cards are more securely held against displacement in the receptacle or drawer i than heretofore; while said drawer may be carelessly carried or inverted without'any risk of the cards 2 becoming loose or falling out.

Obviously, when it is desired to inspect, refer to, or remove any individual card or cards 2, the operations above set forth will be reversed by simply turning the actuator 5 from the position of Figs. 1-4 and 9, to that of Figs. 6, 7 and 8.

From the foregoing disclosure and a study of the drawings, it will be apparent there is provided a simply constructed, comparatively inexpensive and easily manipulated .index card holder, and one which positively accomplishes all the beneficial results contemplated. Furthermore, while there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the form shown is merely one exemplification of the possibilities of said invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to include all such reasonable modifications or other applications of inventive concept as their scope and the prior art permits.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a card holding drawer having toothed guide rails, a follower device movable along the guide rails into abutment with or away from the cards, a lock-bar supported by the follower device and having end portions for coaction with the guide rail teeth, means permitting limited elevation of said lock-bar when inactive, means effective to arrest the lock-bar end portions between selected guide rail teeth with the follower device in pressure abutment against the cards, a pivotal actuator including a section operative to advance the follower device bodily forward for exertion of extra compressive force on the cards, and a closure for the follower device including a cut-out effective in conjunction with a keeper tongue on the lock-bar and a latch means to hold said lock-bar in the inactive position.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the guide rails have forwardly inclined teeth with intervening openings, and the lock-bar has movement limiting notches with terminal rearwardly active teeth engageable in said guide rail openings.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the actuator includes an eccentric section coactive with the lock-bar to hold the latter inactive; and a lug on the actuator, in conjunction with the keeper tongue on the lock-bar, serve to hold said actuator in active position.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the actuator is of generally right-angled cross-section, one flange embodying pintle extensions, and an intermediate recess sets apart a rectangular section eccentric portion; the other flange includes a manipulator key projection with a recess for operative reception of the lock-bar; and a lug portion effective to arrest rotation of the actuator in one direction with a lower portion including a stop projection for engagement by the latch means.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the latch means consists of a springy angle, one flange whereof is adapted for attachment to the follower device, and the other flange has a V- shaped section for snap coaction with the follower.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the follower device consists of a main wall with upper and lower inward groove-defining flanges, and side walls having openings therethrough with upper notches, channel-members pass through corresponding section openings in the side walls with their grooves outwards, said members embodying portions attached to the follower wall with extensions rectangularly projecting forwards in parallel relation, spaced expanded portions of the extension upper flanges define contacts for coaction with the drawer guide rail confronting faces, and a closure member of reversely channeled sections, a portion of which houses the lock-bar and includes a stop abutment for engagement by the actuator when in the active position.

7. In a card holding receptacle having toothed guide rails, a follower movable along said rails into abutment with or away from the cards, a lock-bar supported by the follower and having end portions coactive with the guide rail teeth, pressure-influenced means effective to initially arrest the lock-bar ends in engagement with se lected guide rail teeth and incidentally elevate the follower under recoil action of said pressure influenced means, and means operative when the lock-bar is in such arrested position 'to jam the ends thereof between the selected guide rail teeth, said means including a cam section effective to bodily move the follower a definite distance with respect to the lock bar for exertion of extra compressive pressure against the cards.

8. In a card holding receptacle having toothed guide rails, a follower movable along said rails into abutment with or away from the cards, a lock-bar supported through the follower and having end portions for coaction with the guide rail teeth, spring-influenced means effective to initially arrest the lock-bar ends between selected guide rail teeth and incidentally elevate the follower under recoil influence of the spring of said means, rotary camming means including an eccentric section operative to advance the follower a definite distance with respect to the lockbar for imposing extra compression of the cards, and stop means limiting rotation of the camming means.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the camming means is in the form of a spring influenced actuator, said actuator embodying aligned pintle portions with an intervening eccentric cam section, and spaced sections defin ing another recess for coaction with the lockbar to rigidly hold. the latter in active position.

CONRAD BERGMANN. 

